Evans, Forrest and Morrison – WHERE DO THE BUSES GO 2009

Description

Since the 1970s private car use has risen while bus patronage declined; the 1985 Transport Act’s deregulation left unclear responsibility for public-transport information. Information—particularly maps—matters for encouraging modal shift, but mapping has been neglected relative to timetables. This study evaluates the ‘Stop-Specific’ Bus Map (SSBM), which displays only onward portions of routes that call at a particular stop, omitting non-boardable or irrelevant services. SSBMs are easier to keep current and could be produced cost-effectively using GIS. Field tests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge and York compared SSBMs with conventional network maps and timetables in at-stop conditions. Results show SSBMs yielded faster planning times, a higher proportion of correct optimum routes (80% vs 56% for network maps/timetables), greater perceived ease of use and confidence, and some potential to increase bus use. The paper concludes SSBMs should complement existing media; automated generation and further analysis of stop types and costs are needed before wider adoption.